National Archives and Records Administration

The Mind - Benders: LSD and the Hallucinogens

http://arcweb.archives.gov/arc/action/ExecuteRelatedOrganizationSearch?id=1170209&relationship=AD_CREATOR

The Mind - Benders: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and the Hallucinogens, ca. 1970. ARC Identifier 13260 / Local Identifier 88.6. This film explores the history of hallucinogenic drugs, and specifically the effects and therapeutic uses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Combining graphics that suggest a hallucinogenic experience, snippets of interviews with users (who explain their reasons for taking the drug) and doctors, and taped sessions of research with volunteers, the film delves into the destructive as well as possible positive uses of the drug.

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This movie is part of the collection: FedFlix

Producer: National Archives and Records Administration
Language: English
Keywords: archives.gov; public.resource.org

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: trilby1989 - - December 14, 2011
Subject: Great Job, FDA!
I agree with the first reviewer - this is a buried Archives cult classic.

What makes this one great is that it sends such a mixed message. If you listen closely, you hear the government's anti-hallucinogen message, but if you just go with the feel of the film, you get the impression the drug is fantastic. 5/5

Reviewer: nighthouse66 - - February 6, 2011
Subject: UN believable.
If this were in the Prelinger Archives it would definitely be getting watched by all and sundry, but its hidden in the government section like a pair of crushed velvet bellbottoms in back of granny's closet. AMAZING visual representations (by the Man, no less) of what its like to flip your lid lysergic style coupled with the expected cautionary tone that probably only made students even MORE curious to dose. The docs and psychs underplay the positive aspects of LSD while the heads noodle on their sitars to freak-out music and mutter about seeing faces in everything. Careful balance is made between the really cool head you will have after with the fact that you might just start tripping again while reading this. Its sort of like showing someone the coolest cave in the world but standing outside of it whining about how you'd be playing russian roulette if you stepped in there. Hell, it was medical encyclopedias and films like THIS that made me want to try LSD. No weeping alcoholics and tales of "bad trips" are gonna scare the brave and curious, it's just gonna make it more fun!
One great bit has a doc cozying up to the LSD crowd by saying, "rebellion is healthy! it leads to great things! But this is no eating a goldfish or the hulahoop". Huh? GOSH DARN THAT FIENDISH LSD!

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